For decades, Christmas Day belonged to the NBA as tradition, per NBA legend Charles Barkley. From iconic matchups to wall-to-wall coverage, the league turned the holiday into a basketball showcase that became part of sports culture.
But that tradition is no longer exclusive, and Charles Barkley is clearly not thrilled about it.
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The NBA legend did not mince words while reacting to the NFL’s growing presence on Christmas Day. It was potentially a move that shifted attention away from the league he helped define. As the NFL continues to expand its calendar into traditionally NBA-dominated territory, Barkley made it clear he sees it as an unnecessary power grab.
Speaking candidly about the issue, Barkley took direct aim at the league office and commissioner Roger Goodell. “We used to have this day to ourselves, but Roger Goodell and those pigs at the NFL always want to hog every day of the week now,” Charles Barkley said.
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The NFL has steadily pushed into new broadcast windows in recent years, adding games on Saturdays, international dates, and now Christmas matchups when the calendar allows. From a business standpoint, the strategy has worked. NFL games continue to draw massive ratings regardless of the day, often outperforming NBA contests airing at the same time.
Still, Barkley’s frustration speaks to a larger cultural shift. Christmas Day NBA games have historically featured marquee rivalries, superstar debuts, and moments that helped shape the league’s identity.
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With the NFL now commanding attention on the same day, the NBA faces stiffer competition for viewers and headlines. Christmas may no longer belong to just one league. So, the debate over who should own the holiday is far from over.
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